Yellow Poplar (Tulipwood / Tulip Poplar)
Liriodendron tulipifera · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 540 lbf (Soft)
- Durability
- Non-durable to Slightly Durable. Susceptible to rot and insect attack when used outdoors or in ground contact; recommended strictly for interior applications.
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Grain Pattern
Straight, uniform grain texture with a medium to fine, even-textured feel. Mostly flat-sawn or plain-sawn showing characteristic mild cathedral arched growth rings.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood can vary widely from light yellowish-brown to olive-brown, sometimes featuring streaks of purple, green, black, or blue (commonly known as multicolored poplar or rainbow poplar). Sapwood is a creamy white to pale yellowish-white, clearly demarcated from the heartwood. Darkens significantly to a rich brown color upon prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light and air.
Hardness (Janka)
540 lbf (Soft)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable to Slightly Durable. Susceptible to rot and insect attack when used outdoors or in ground contact; recommended strictly for interior applications.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 3.00 to 5.00 USD per board foot for rough-sawn lumber.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently milled to a few years old (typical rough-sawn lumberyard or private mill condition).
- Sustainability Status
- Least Concern (Not listed on CITES appendices or IUCN red list). Highly sustainable and readily available domestically in North America.
Common Uses
Interior furniture framing, painted cabinetry, painted millwork, interior trim, plywood core stock, woodenware, toys, and general construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Exceptionally easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Planes, saws, and bores cleanly, though dull blades can cause fuzzy surfaces due to the wood's relatively soft nature. Glues, stains, and paints exceptionally well (frequently used as a paint-grade wood).
Finish Recommendations
Takes paints, stains, and glazes extremely well due to its uniform absorption. Can be finished with clear coats (lacquer, polyurethane, or oil), though pigmented stains are often used to mask its natural greenish-yellow undertones if a uniform brown tone is desired.
Notable Features
Often features distinct greenish or purplish mineral streaks in the heartwood when freshly cut. Lightweight, dimensionally stable once properly dried, and possesses good bending strength relative to its weight.
Notes
Rough sawn, Facebook marketplace, hardwood
